We really hope that you enjoy this copy of BSAC Talk. If you have any comments regarding this issue, please let us know by email at maryt@bsac.com

A PDF copy of this issue can also be downloaded at www.bsac.org/etalk/feb05talk.pdf.

Largest Ever London Show

In a matter of days, the doors to the London International Dive Show (LIDS) will open and what a treat lies in store for you. The Show is the largest ever and already boasts some 240 exhibitors. Whatever you might need in diving you'll find it all at LIDS - top manufacturers, the latest in kit, the best in diving holidays, underwater photographic gear and the coolest leisurewear around. And, with dozens of the country's top retailers taking part you're certain to find some great deals. Nowhere else, at the start of the season can you see so many exhibitors and there is no larger spring social event - a record 14,329 divers attended last year and this year promises to be an even bigger occasion.

Win a Trip to Bonaire

Just by visiting LIDS 2005 you could go home as a big winner, because the Show has teamed up with Captain Don's Habitat, and up for grabs, in a free to enter draw, is a fantastic holiday for two to Bonaire. The package includes 8 days/7 nights accommodation in one of Captain Don's Deluxe Jr. Suites with R/T airport transfers, daily buffet breakfast, welcome drink, manager's cocktail party, 6 boat dives and 6 days unlimited shore diving for each person including tanks, weights, weight belts and service charges. It's a prize worth thousands of pounds and all you need do, to be in with a chance, is to complete a draw entry card that will be waiting for you on arrival at the Show. Simply post this in one of three draw boxes - at the entrance, on the Captain Don's stand 920, or at the Diver Magazine stand 550 - and if your name is drawn out of the hat, the prize will be yours. The draw will take place at 3.30pm on the Sunday of the Show at the Captain Don's stand - good luck!

Visit as a Group

Don't forget the other big LIDS draw, in which the odds are even more in your favour. Buy eight or more tickets in advance, and you not only save but could win eight free week-long Red Sea holidays on Tony Backhurst's highly rated liveaboard Hurricane. Launched last year, this refined vessel promises to take you to some of the very best dive sites in style and air-conditioned comfort. Organise your friends and/or family-members and order their tickets now!

Save £££'s On Tickets

Buy your ticket now to LIDS 2005 and you'll get it for just £7.00 instead of £9.50 - a saving of £2.50 that guarantees you the fastest access to the Show on arrival. There is no booking fee, and postage is included. Tickets for children under 12 cost just £2.00 and all tickets are valid for either day of the Show and allow same day re-admission.

Buy Now:

Securely On-Line - just visit http://www.diveshows.co.uk

By Phone - Call the 24hr Ticket Hotline now on 020 8977 9878 and pay by Master Card, Visa or Switch. The line is usually answered personally during office hours.

There's something for everyone at the BSAC World this year. With the Rebreather pool at its centre, BSAC World features a host of informative and useful displays for members and non-members alike. From learning to dive to Extended Range diving, the Club has something for you.

The BSAC Head Quarters Membership team, Technical Staff and Regional Coaches will all be on hand to answer your diving or branch questions. We've information on joining the BSAC, where your nearest diving Club is located, as well as advice on courses, techniques and equipment. The main stand, 704, will also have the BSAC Shop in full force, selling their books and popular leisurewear. Come and put a face to the name, we'd love to meet you!

A Special feature for 2005, is the 'Branch Doctor' team, dispensing informal advice on the best way to market your Branch. Image Wizard staff, the BSAC's PR company will be on hand to help with any questions you may have. Visit them on stand 808C or attend their special seminar on Sunday 6th March, for ideas and marketing tips. We've also got free posters and other useful promotional material to take away, including the 'Branch Marketing' Pack. Over 800 BSAC Branches have now received this free pack, if your Branch does not have a copy yet, come to the Branch Doctor stand and pick one up.

Find out how your Branch can participate, and make the most from the BSAC's 'Come & Dive campaign', which is again kindly sponsored by the Cayman Islands. It's a great way to attract new members. This year is the campaign's 10th year Anniversary and the BSAC team is determined with the help of all our members, to make this one the best ever.

Back by popular demand is the BSAC rebreather pool, it's your chance to try one for yourself, ideal for anyone contemplating a purchase, or thinking about attending a rebreather course. Simply register at the desk upon arrival, wetsuits and towels provided! BSAC Rebreather Instructors will be there to advise you on the different rebreathers available and how they work.

The award winning Kingston and Elmbridge BSAC Branch will be on stand 808B to demonstrate what makes them the winners of the prestigious Heinke Trophy Award. Get ideas for fundraising, publicity, diving trips, have a chat and find out what makes Branch diving so much fun.

Representatives from the BSAC Travel Club 'Preferred Travel Partners' scheme will be at the show with travel advice and information for your next dive holiday. BSAC Members receive a special discount on any holidays they book with 'Preferred Travel Partners' and with such well-known companies, you're sure to find a perfect break whatever your budget.

Other BSAC partners will be in BSAC World to talk to you. Dive Master the BSAC insurance company will be happy to discuss any insurance queries which you may have and alongside them will be Beneficial Bank the BSAC's Affinity Scheme credit card. Find out what benefits they have to offer you.

DIVE magazine will also have a stand to answer any questions you may have about the magazine.

The BSAC world will be an exciting "one stop shop" for the modern diver with everything you need in one area. Visit us at BSAC World and discover what the Club has to offer you, we look forward to seeing you there.

The BSAC Preferred Travel Partners will also be available for booking holidays. Do take the time to look at the special offers our PTPs will be offering all BSAC members. It is worth it!.

The 51st Annual General Meeting of the British Sub Aqua Club is being hosted by Kingston & Elmbridge Sub-Aqua Club, The Clubhouse, King George V Car Park, Queen Mary Close (Off Hook Rise South) Tolworth, Surrey (see map below) on 21 May 2005.

It promises to be an exciting day. The morning will be the AGM business with registration at 9.00am onwards. The AGM will commence at 10.00am and end at 13.00hours. Lunch will follow and then a variety of interesting presentations kindly organised by Kingston & Elmbridge. 14.00 hours, RNLI, 14.45 MCS "Seasearch presentation". To finish off Tony Marshall will present the BSAC Golden Oldies a fabulous film collection, which goes back years and is well worth a watch.

The evening entertainment will be a riverboat cruise with a disco and finger buffet, at a cost of £28.00.

We do hope that many of you will come to the AGM and spend time with us and the Branch members. It is always a fun occasion and a good opportunity to exchange diving stories.

If you are interested in attending then please contact the branch direct, John Rapley, on 07843 529 187 or 0208 241 1830. You can also email him at rap@gearbulk.com.

Alternatively contact Odette Baker at BSAC HQ where we can take your ticket orders as well on odetteb@bsac.com or 0151 350 6220.

Thanks to Kingston & Elmbridge branch for hosting the BSAC AGM.

Not to be missed international dive show in Asia, 1 - 3 April 2005 featuring;

• Latest Dive Equipment, Specialised Dive Travel and Packages, Leisure Diving, Technical Diving, Professional Diving.
• Dive Industry Updates, Dive Association Forums, Exhibitor- led Sessions.
• 'Faces of the Ocean' Underwater Photography Competition
• Youth Art Talents on Marine Conservation
• 'Live' Scuba try outs and Dive Product Presentations
• Daily Lucky Draws and much, much more

If you are lucky enough to be in this part of the world then why not take the opportunity to go along and see all that this Exhibition has to offer! For more details go to http://www.asiadiveexpo.com

Are you suffering from those New Year Blues? Well why not take the opportunity to check out what offers there are through the Preferred Travel Partner Scheme? This scheme offers BSAC members special membership discounts from six very different diving holiday companies, Dive Worldwide, Regaldive, Peter Hughes Diving, Touchdown Collection, Harlequin and Hayes & Jarvis. Through this scheme BSAC members will be able to travel better informed and better prepared and enjoy a greater variety of new and diverse destinations.

The preferred Travel Partner scheme is easy to use:

1. Register online NOW at www.bsactravelclub.co.uk
2. See the special offers exclusively available to subscribers of our BSAC Traveller Newsletter.
3. See what our Partners offer on the BSAC Travel Club website then check the details on their linked sites.
4. Remember to quote your BSAC membership number to receive special BSAC member discounts.

Following the success of the first Annual Travel Club Photographic Award presented to Pedro Vieyra on 4 December 2004, we are pleased to be running the Award again in 2005. The presentation of the Photographer of the Year Award 2005, and now the Newcomer of the Year, will be made at the BSAC's Diving Officers' Conference on 3 December 2005.

All entries must be submitted via the photographic section of the BSAC Travel Club website at http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/photography/awardentry.htm.

The award will commence from December 2004 and will run until midnight on Sunday 13 November 2005, when the competition will close for final judging.

More details can be found on the Travel Club website at http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/photography/award1.htm.

Just to remind you of the posters we have available to enable you to promote your branch in your area be it in the local shop, library or swimming pool. The posters come in various sizes, A3, A4 and A5.

If you would like some for your branch then please contact membership at membership@bsac.com or contact membership department directly on 0151 350 6202/6208.

You can order these posters from the BSAC website at http://www.bsac.com/legacyorg/services/brstatordform.htm.

If you know friend or colleague who may like to receive this monthly bulletin, please ask them to visit www.bsac.org/etalk, where they can subscribe online.